With Europeans breaking the habit, Philip Morris shutters plant in the Netherlands

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Philip Morris International will end cigarette production at its factory in the Netherlands as Europeans break the smoking habit for both financial and health reasons.

The company said Friday that it has started talks with employee representatives on a proposal to end production at the factory in Bergen op Zoom. If production is ended, it could impact about 1,230 of the current 1,371 employees.

Philip Morris International Inc., based in New York, reports that in the last four years, cigarette volumes have weakened in Europe due to economic softness, illicit trade and as consumers shifting to cheaper alternative products. The company said that volume recovery is highly unlikely.

Europeans are also quitting.

Philip Morris Holland anticipates cigarette production at the factory will end by October.